FROM GRANDMOTHER - TO GRANDDAUGHTER - TO GRANDDAUGHTER
Genealogy is much more than a compilation of names and dates and places. While those facts are very important, adding a human touch to the lives of those researched makes the search all the more interesting for the genealogist and the readers.
Today is December 16, 2016. This would be the 176th birthday of my 2nd great-grandmother, Emilie Friederike Rott, who was born December 16, 1840 in Borntuchen, Kreis Bütow, Pommern, Germany.
During the years of my research I easily found Emilie's birthdate from US records but recently was able to find her actual birth record due to the discovery of church books from Borntuchen. This record, as shown below, was proof positive of Emilie's birth, listing her parents and sponsors as well. It was a welcome piece of data for my research:
Emilie was to marry Albert Ludwig Kramp and she gave birth to 11 children before she immigrated to the US where she settled in Berrien County, Michigan. The majority of her children were to immigrate as well with some of the older children immigrating first while Emilie followed with her younger children following the death of her husband, Albert. Only one son remained in Pommern where he passed away as a young adult.
Once in the US, Emilie married for a second time to Ernst Zorr, as this picture, taken in approximately 1890 indicates:
I do have this photo as well of Emilie in her later years but the younger woman with her is unknown to me:
Emilie's oldest son was Robert Ernst Kramp. He and his wife were to have several children and their daughter, Agnes Friederike Kramp, was born on her grandmother, Emilie's, birthday of December 16, 1890.
Today I was reminded of this birthday of Agnes in a very special way. My own grandmother had what was called a "birthday book". When she received the book in the early 1940's she had her friends and family members write their names and year of birth in the book on the specific date of their birthday. This last year I have been looking at that book each day, noting whose birthday was listed for each day. Today when I looked at the book I saw that Agnes had written her name and the year of birth in her own hand and I was reminded that this date was also her grandmother, Emilie's, birthday and marveled at the coincidence:
Agnes certainly knew her grandmother, Emilie, as they lived in the same small area of Berrien County and perhaps they often discussed that they shared the same birthday. It would also appear that they shared the same middle name perhaps making Agnes one of Emilie's favorites of her many grandchildren. Agnes was 31 when her grandmother, Emilie, passed away so it is very likely that they shared many visits together.
Here is a photo of Agnes Kramp Kolberg:
Now a grandmother and her granddaughter sharing the same birthday is unique but this story is not finished.
As a Facebook follower I noted today when I logged on that a notice popped up that today was the birthday of my cousin, Mary. The significance of this is even more unique when I realized that Mary IS the granddaughter of Agnes and the great great granddaughter of Emilie.
From grandmother to granddaughter to granddaughter! From December 16, 1840 to December 16, 1890 to December 16, 19__ (I won't divulge Mary's birth year)! Here we have three directly linked women who shared the same birthday. What a special connection for all three.
Now, will the trend continue? That remains to be seen!!
